Jack Daniels Independence Project Entry

by Ben N on August 29, 2012

As you may have noticed, I’m becoming a big fan of on-line creative building competitions, especially through Instructables.com.

Right now, they have one heck-of-a contest going on, sponsored by Jack Daniels. The whole idea is that you create a 60 second video explaining your dream of Independence, whether that be a business plan or just a project you have always wanted to do. The grand prize winner gets $25,000 to help fund their dream!

For a while, I’ve had an idea for a PRACTICAL hybrid vehicle. One that fits my lifestyle would include a local, electric-only mode, long range capabilities on bio-fuel, and be able to tow and haul. The plan is to combine a diesel engine with a forklift motor in a pickup truck to create affordable, high-efficiency travel, that doesn’t give up the truck’s capabilities.

Well, there’s nothing like a contest deadline to get me to work. I filmed a very brief video entry explaining the concept, so that I could enter it in the contest. If you haven’t already watched it, it’s the video at the top of this post.

OK, now you’ve read it? What do you think? I’ve never done anything yet with so much complexity both in machining AND electronics before. On the other hand, I had never built an electric car until I did that either!